February is Black History Month: "African Americans and Labor"

Mon, 03 Feb 2025 12:18:25 -0500

Join The Mosaic as we continue to honor, celebrate, and uplift our Black and African American community. February marks Black History Month, but the impact of Black and African American history is recognized and celebrated every day. We acknowledge the profound contributions and influence of Black and African Americans that shape our nation's history, while also celebrating the culture, resilience, love, and service. We pay tribute to the ongoing representation, creativity, and artistic expression that enriches our communities.

The Association for the Study of African American Life and History declared that the 2025 Black History Month theme, is “African Americans and Labor”. “African Americans and Labor focuses on the various and profound ways that work and working of all kinds – free and unfree, skilled, and unskilled, vocational and voluntary – intersect with the collective experiences of Black people. Indeed, work is at the very center of much of Black history and culture.” (Association for the Study of African American Life and History)

For more information about ASALH 2025 Black History Month theme, click here.

Officially and nationally recognized as of 1976, Black History Month honors these great contributions while acknowledging all that has happened both past and present to the Black and African American community. The lives, culture, joy, and impact of Black history can be seen within all of our spaces and this celebration is not confined to only February but in special tribute. As a community that values and honors, “inclusive excellence”, we will continue to uplift the history and contributions of all Black and African Americans.

Throughout February, join our UMBC community in celebrating with events and programs.

Black Excellence Summit

Saturday, February 15, 2025

https://besummit.umbc.edu/

At UMBC, we believe in the importance of building community. UMBC’s community is especially appreciated for its diversity among the students, staff, and faculty. However, minority students, mostly those who are Black, often don’t feel a sense of community among those who share the same culture or racial identity as them. It’s time to change that. With America’s current political and social climate, it’s become increasingly important to make sure that our community is actively pursuing racial equity as well as cultivating an environment where Black students and staff feel heard, seen and comfortable. Furthermore, we want to redefine the idea of Black Excellence, so that it is more focused on the authenticity of the Black experience, rather than appealing to societal norms.

UMBC Black Student Union

Join UMBC’s BSU for their Black History Month programs. Find more by checking out their Instagram.

02/05 - Black Org Fest

02/11 - Black Love and Relationships

02/13 - “What’s in Your Heart?” Creative Night

02/18 - Open Mic Night

02/20 - BSU Presents…Family Feud!

02/25 - Song Association

Continue to check back for updates on programs and events.

To further connect with our Black and Africana student organizations please check out https://my.umbc.edu/.

Interested in engaging in literature and media by Black creators? Check out this list and resources below:

Black Women Writers Project

Umbra Search

Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe

If Beal Street Could Talk by James Baldwin

Notes of Native Sun by James Baldwin

Abolition Feminism Now by Angela Davis, Gina Dent, Erica R. Meiners, Beth E. Richie

They Poured Fire On Us From the Sky by Alephonsion Deng, Benson Deng, Benjamin Ajak

All About Love by bell hooks

Women of the Nation: Between Black Protest and Sunni Islam by Dawn-Marie Gibson & Jamillah Karim

The Rise of the Beautiful Eccentric by madison moore

Beloved by Toni Morrison

Black Food Geographies: Race, Self-Reliance, and Food Access in Washington, D.C. by Ashanté M. Reese

Black Disability Politics by Sami Schalk

Native Son by Richard Wright